Jackfruit, Durian and Soursop: the same looks, but different

For the experts there is no doubt that these fruits are not everyday products, they will see little difference between Jackfruit, Durian and Soursop. The exotic fruits are often oval in shape and have a spiny shell. In particular Jackfruit and Soursop are often known under the same umbrella. Yet we are talking about a different fruit.

Jackfruit or nangka fruit is the fruit of an evergreen tree to 30 meters high, which finds its origin in India. The tree is notable for the huge fruit (up to 40 pounds), which spring from the trunk. The scattered leaves are dark green and shiny above and dull green on the bottom. The fruit contains up to 500 pieces, 4 cm large seeds. The flesh is yellowish ripe and tastes faintly sweet and has a sweet smell. The fruit contains up to 30% starch. The jackfruit or nangka fruit grow three years after planting the tree. It is one of the major edible fruits. Jackfruit contains very high amounts of protein and fats. It also contains high levels of tryptophan, sulphur and vitamin E. Durian or nangka is the fruit of a 40 meter tall, evergreen tree with spreading branches and a dense crown from South East Asia. The leaves are shiny on top and underneath hairy, golden scales. The oval or rounded fruit is 15 to 30 centimetres long and weighs up to 8 kilos. The skin consists of hexagonal, thick spines. The fruit consists of five fruit chambers containing seeds from 1 to 6 cm. These seeds are surrounded by thick, cream-coloured to dark yellow, jelly-like seed coats. It tastes sweet and aromatic. The ripe fruit smells very pungent from the formation of hydrogen sulphide, from which the fruit gets its alternative name "stinky fruit".

Soursop is the fruit from an evergreen tree which can grow to 10 meters high with rusty coloured hairy young branches which can be found in the tropics. Originally, the soursop was found in the Caribbean and Central America. The soursop is pear-shaped and often curved, up to 20 x 35 cm and weighing 6 kilos. The dark green, with white speckled skin shows a chequered pattern, each square carries a soft curved spine. The flesh is snow white, very soft when ripe, juicy, with a sweet/sour taste. Exposed to the atmosphere, the pulp rapidly turns brown. The fruits contain many seeds. Both plant and the fruit have several positive health benefits including infections, urinary and bowel problems, eczema, rheumatism and other skin disorders. Also, the soursop has enormous benefits in the prevention and cure of cancer.